We sacrifice pollinators for pretty lawns which have no value to the ecosystem
James Howard
The honey bee has become my friend. I say this for they produce that sweet honey that not only tastes good but has many medicinal uses. I use honey most every day, and I am concerned for the sustaining of the bees life. While doing research I found that the honey bee is endangered more each day.
There are 50 million acres of suburban lawns with many heavy in toxic pesticides that are detrimental to bees including carbamates, synthetic pyrethroids, organophosphates, and many others. These chemicals affect the honey bee by killing them off thereby causing serious hive problems. With ninety percent of all plants requiring pollination to kill off the honey bee population effects the whole ecosystem.
Herbicides used in right of ways, in fields, and in lawns affect pollination and thereby cut down on the supply of honey. With these environmental poisons sprayed into the air and on plants the pollinators are facing a crisis that becomes worse as more suburban areas are being built.
When buildings go up down go the wildflower counts and therefore food for the honey bee. When warehouses and businesses are built, up goes the asphalt count. There are 48 million acres of asphalt in the U.S. That is a disaster for the chain of ecology and the honey bee. We are killing off our natural food chain and health.
With 98 million acres of lawns, asphalt, pesticides, and herbicides the honey bee is in real danger. When the honey bee is in danger I am endangered for if I can’t buy honey then my use of it for health purposes declines. But there is hope with community action. One person can accomplish much, and when that person joins others in a chain of resistance, the killing off of the honey bee and ecosystem slows.
There is a middle school in my town that is planting flowers that attract honey bees. These young people are being taught the importance of preserving nature’s way of life. They are being taught the individual responsibility each person has for their part in preserving, not killing off the pollinators.
There are certain towns that have wildflowers gardens that attract the precious honey bee and other pollinators. The more gardens that are planted with wildflowers the more the ecosystem and honey bee production rises. I believe more and more cities need to invest in the future of the honey industry.
Each person reading this can make a difference in many ways. We all have friends, and we can speak with them about being a contributor to the life of the honey bee and the ecosystem. When we enthusiastically show our friends the importance of planting flowers and plants that draw honey bees they are contributing to the welfare of honey bees and hives. They can in return tell all their friends about the issue and a chain of great things can begin and bring the acreage count of bee friendly plants up significantly.
Another way to help is to speak with our neighbors about using alternative, organic herbicides, and pesticides. This will greatly reduce the poisons spray upon the yards and on plants. I used habanero peppers chopped and I mashed the juice out and added water to dilute it. I then sprayed it on my garden. It isn’t good to use this spray on wildflowers as it kills the honey bee, but I kept my vegetables from having harmful chemicals applied as they grow.
There are natural ways to keep pesty insects away from plants without hurting the plants and also not harming honey bees. There are organic means to keep honey bees safe and also protect plants from fungus, and harmful insects. These should be brought to the attention of our friends and neighbors.
Asphalt, the death of the bee pollinator.
In the past I’ve contacted my legislative leaders about issues of concern, and I will be contacting them about passing laws restricting many of the detrimental chemicals. The EPA does a bit of work in this area, but more is needed, and our voice needs to be heard. I don’t own honey bee hives, but the more I study this subject the more I am fired up to act.
My local plan is to speak with city leaders and find out what can be done to help alleviate the decline of honey bees in my area. I see many properties around the city that are vacant and could be used for planting plants that attract honey bees. It will add more color and beauty to the area and be one more place that helps the count rise for support of the pollinators.
Mrs. Annie Barbas, Master Gardner for Valdosta Schools
tending pollinator firendly garden at school.
My library has areas I could use to hold meetings to make the community aware of the decline of the honey bee. Many people benefit from the use of honey, and this can be a call to action. That is the focus of this work, a call to action. Many times one person has advocated strongly about issues in life and had laws passed to protect whatever their cause is, and we as lovers of honey and honey bees can reach forth to a better day in the world of the honey bee.
